Dialysis “No-Shows” on Saturdays: Implications of the Weekly Hemodialysis Schedules on Nonadherence and Outcomes

Background The prevalence of skipped hemodialysis or no-show is higher among African Americans, younger ages, smokers and illicit drug users. The effect of the weekly hemodialysis treatment schedules [Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays (MWF); or Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays (TTS)] on adherence is unknown. Methods Our hemodialysis patients were prospectively monitored for compliance over a 12-month duration. Regression analyses were employed for associations between variables and outcomes. Results A total of 114 African-American patients—mean age 55 ± 14 and 53% male—were surveyed. Compared to the MWF, the TTS patients had higher rates of no show (2.4% vs. 1.7%, p = NS); shortened hemodialysis time (30% vs. 26%, p = NS); cocaine use (18% vs. 8%, p = 0.09); higher interdialytic weight gain (4.3 ± 1.8 kg vs. 3.4 ± 1.3 kg, p = 0.005); prolonged length of hospital stay (9 ± 12 days vs. 4 ± 5 days, p = 0.02); and higher mortality (16% vs. 8%, p = NS). Compared to other days of the week, the Saturday no-show rate was significantly higher: 31% vs. 13%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 8%, Monday through Friday, respectively. Length of hospital stay correlated with no show (R2 = 0.4, p < 0.0001), while early termination was associated with smoking, cocaine use, female gender, TTS schedule, low serum albumin, hematocrit and adequacy of dialysis (Kt/V) (R2 = 0.6, p = 0.009). Conclusions The TTS-scheduled hemodialysis patients are less adherent, and have higher morbidity than the MWF patients and a predilection for skipping on Saturdays.